Previous studies had revealed that
stress is linked to increased heart rate and weakened immune systems. However, a
recent research conducted by the University College of London has found that
over the long term, stress may actually raise cholesterol blood levels for some
people. This means the risk of heart disease may subsequently be increased.

Stress may encourage the body
to produce more energy in the form of fatty acids and glucose. These
substances require the liver to produce and secrete more LDL cholesterol so
that they can be transported to the other tissues of the body.

Stress may interfere with the
body's ability to rid itself of excess cholesterol.

Stress may trigger a number of
inflammatory processes which also increase cholesterol production.

You should learn to control stress before it controls you. This is a common
advice we are expected to receive. But how can we control our stress level?

You should develop healthy habits so as to have a balance of work, eating,
exercise and relaxation. Try to take everything in moderation - do not obsess
over the details. You need to learn to manage your time effectively -
prioritize, drop unnecessary tasks and do not procrastinate. Perhaps you can
also start with simple, self-help methods such as yoga, mediation or visual
imagery to improve your relaxation skills. There is no proven facts that any
dietary supplement can help you with stress reduction, although some people have
found that these are helpful.

If these do-it-yourself methods do not work for you, then you probably may need
professional assistance in the form of counseling or psychotherapy to help you
understand the causes and effects of your stress. Using alcohol or cigarettes to
cope with stress is strictly avoided as these two approaches have proved to be
bad for your heart. For people whose stress levels are bad enough to impact
their ability to function effectively, there are also medications available. To
prevent landing in such as state, you should seriously consider balance your
life with sufficient rest, exercise and healthy eating to reduce your stress
level!"